After reading that article by KHAAAAAAAN, discussing the Wings' options at the draft and the possibility of moving Colaiacovo, Emmerton, or Tootoo and perhaps buying out Bertuzzi or Samuelsson I started to get curious as to what exactly that could look like.

As far as I'm concerned, those are the extra pieces that - with the exception of Tootoo - need trimming, so it was certainly an encouraging article - even if it is all conjecture at this point.

Ignore the $7mil+ cap cushion, because I made no attempt to calculate the salaries of the UFA/RFA signings. I'm terrible at that, so there's no point. Feel free to substitute Ryder with any of the power forwards that have been mentioned here throughout the off-season, if you'd like.

In my perfect scenario, Colaiacovo is somehow moveable - perhaps packaged with Filppula's rights - and Sameulsson and Bertuzzi can be bought out. While, I like what Bertuzzi can bring to the line-up; he and Samuelsson are the most obvious buyout candidates and I don't see that changing at any point over the course of the next year.

I've accepted that the fact that this team will likely be unable to acquire a worthwhile defenseman and that they will move forward with the core that we saw in place at the end of last season.

I love that lineup! Adding Ryder and Weiss makes perfect sense. I think having Ryder play with both datsyuk and zetterberg is a good move. He would score 35 goals no doubt in my mind. I think Z could also notch 30 on that line.

A second line of mule- Weiss- nyq/brunner/Tatar would be very lethal and a very solid line going up against 2nd pairing d-men.

A third Line of two of Nyq/brunner/Tatar centered by helm would make for the best third line in hockey.

Then you role a 4th of Abby- Andy- eaves/miller

I love that lineup and ill throw it up against any other forward group in the league today.

I love that lineup! Adding Ryder and Weiss makes perfect sense. I think having Ryder play with both datsyuk and zetterberg is a good move. He would score 35 goals no doubt in my mind. I think Z could also notch 30 on that line.

A second line of mule- Weiss- nyq/brunner/Tatar would be very lethal and a very solid line going up against 2nd pairing d-men.

A third Line of two of Nyq/brunner/Tatar centered by helm would make for the best third line in hockey.

Then you role a 4th of Abby- Andy- eaves/miller

I love that lineup and ill throw it up against any other forward group in the league today.

i would be shocked if holland pulls that off but I do agree that would be one hell of a lineup..

Datsyukian

Dat·syu·ki·an [dat-soo-kee-uh n]

adjective

1. When your moves are so amazing and beyond reason, the only way to describe them is "datsyukian."

That's a nice, young roster (only 4 people that are 30 years of age or older and 4 players aged 29).

I assigned large costs to re-signing UFA and RFA players just to be safe. Holland can likely get better numbers than the ones I assigned.

Ideally I'd like to ditch Quincey and pick a true top pairing offensive defenseman up somewhere but the pickings are very, very slim. I'd avoid the UFA pool of offensive defensemen all together and look at RFA players.

Alex Pietrangelo is an RFA who is sure to be coveted by the entire league. St Louis has 20million in cap space to re-sign their RFA and UFA players. They'll have to get deals done for Chris Stewart, Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo, though, so that money is definitely needed (all three players would command significant salaries). Pietrangelo is easily the best player on that team in my opinion and you can bet it'd be virtually impossible to pry him away from them... but hey it's worth making a note of it.

David Rundblad is an RFA in Phoenix who might be of interest. He's big (6'2", 190lbs), young (22yrs) and a right hand shot. Phoenix acquired him from Ottawa in 2011 as part of the Turris trade.

Zach Bogosian is an RFA in Winnipeg who is also big (6'3", 215lbs), young (22yrs) and a right handed shooter.

Nick Leddy is an RFA in Chicago who isn't exactly big (5'11, 180lbs), but is young (22yrs), although he has a lefty shot. Chicago is going to struggle to sign their RFA/UFA players and may be forced to let some juicey ones go. I doubt they'd let Leddy go but hey, it's possible. With the move to the East it will be easier than ever to make a deal with Chicago.

Travis Hamonic is an RFA on the NY Islanders who fits the desirable profile: big (6'2", 206lbs), young (22yrs) and a right hand shot. His offensive numbers are mind-boggling (10g, 60pts in 183 NHL games) but he's a very solid two-way player.

Here's what I'd love to see going into next year (Note - not the line combo's but the personnel) The salaries might be a little high or low in places, but I think its conceivable we could ice this line-up with cap space to spare, especially if we trade Tootoo, then Emmerton would be one of the utility forwards.

Here's what I'd love to see going into next year (Note - not the line combo's but the personnel) The salaries might be a little high or low in places, but I think its conceivable we could ice this line-up with cap space to spare, especially if we trade Tootoo, then Emmerton would be one of the utility forwards.

Just a small nitpick, I think you can trade Cola and actually get something.

That would be even better, I did it this way as a worst case scenario...If we could trade him we'd still have another buyout for next year should Franzen have a terrible year or if someone else fails to live up to their contract.

That's a nice, young roster (only 4 people that are 30 years of age or older and 4 players aged 29).

I assigned large costs to re-signing UFA and RFA players just to be safe. Holland can likely get better numbers than the ones I assigned.

Ideally I'd like to ditch Quincey and pick a true top pairing offensive defenseman up somewhere but the pickings are very, very slim. I'd avoid the UFA pool of offensive defensemen all together and look at RFA players.

Alex Pietrangelo is an RFA who is sure to be coveted by the entire league. St Louis has 20million in cap space to re-sign their RFA and UFA players. They'll have to get deals done for Chris Stewart, Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo, though, so that money is definitely needed (all three players would command significant salaries). Pietrangelo is easily the best player on that team in my opinion and you can bet it'd be virtually impossible to pry him away from them... but hey it's worth making a note of it.

David Rundblad is an RFA in Phoenix who might be of interest. He's big (6'2", 190lbs), young (22yrs) and a right hand shot. Phoenix acquired him from Ottawa in 2011 as part of the Turris trade.

Zach Bogosian is an RFA in Winnipeg who is also big (6'3", 215lbs), young (22yrs) and a right handed shooter.

Nick Leddy is an RFA in Chicago who isn't exactly big (5'11, 180lbs), but is young (22yrs), although he has a lefty shot. Chicago is going to struggle to sign their RFA/UFA players and may be forced to let some juicey ones go. I doubt they'd let Leddy go but hey, it's possible. With the move to the East it will be easier than ever to make a deal with Chicago.

Travis Hamonic is an RFA on the NY Islanders who fits the desirable profile: big (6'2", 206lbs), young (22yrs) and a right hand shot. His offensive numbers are mind-boggling (10g, 60pts in 183 NHL games) but he's a very solid two-way player.

I think that the Red Wings sign Lecavalier to a modest contract. With him still getting paid by the Lightning, I believe that he will rank environment and chance to win another Cup above a huge payday. He's got his money guaranteed; so 2-year, $4M/yr sounds like a fair deal to me. If he wants to play for the Red Wings, then there's no point paying top-dollar. I believe he'll either come to Detroit or go to Montreal. Either way, both teams will probably be able to sign him without breaking the bank.

Next, I think the Red Wings swing a trade with Buffalo for RW Drew Stafford. Stafford, according to rumors, has been trying to get out of Buffalo since before the trade deadline. It's clear they're trying to rebuild again and I can't see him wanting to stick around for another project. For the 6'2", 200lb right winger, the Red Wings send LW Johan Franzen (comparable contracts), C Riley Sheahan, RW Martin Frk, and a 2014 3rd Round Pick to the Sabres. This trade allows the Red Wings to avoid a decision to buyout Franzen next year (while easing the burden on the logjam at LW) and the Sabres pick up a potential top-six RW, a 2nd-line winger, and a pick next year. The cupboard is bare when it comes to top-flight wingers for the Sabres and Frk would fit nicely into their rebuilding plan. Sheahan needs to get out of Detroit's system after his arrest. I can't believe he's still with the organization after the video went viral, but a new beginning gives him a fresh start and a solid chance at making a 2013/2014 roster.

The team trades D Colaiacovo for a 2013 5th Round pick, while it uses one Compliance Buyout on winger Mikael Samuelsson and one Ordinary Buyout on winger Todd Bertuzzi. Neither player could be traded during the draft and their contracts don't fit with the Red Wings' plan.

Kenny Holland has stated that he wants to bring in a top-4 defensemen (likely an offense-oriented right-handed guy), but short of moving Kyle Quincey's contract, I don't see how that happens. Maybe something comes along after the season starts (trade deadline?), but for now, I think one big signing and one big trade is enough.

So the Red Wings finally get to pair Zetterberg with Datsyuk for good while adding a right-handed power forward next to them who can score himself. Lacavalier and Abdelkader make for a big second line. Lacavalier organizes the offense, Abdelkader blinds the goalie, and Brunner looks for the open, wicked shot on goal. The young kids give the Red Wings an impressive third line full of speed and skill. The fourth line, orchestrated by a healthy Darren Helm, gives the team a physical, defense-oriented line with Miller and Eaves flanking the rejuvenated center. Emmerton and Tootoo round out the roster.

I think that the Red Wings sign Lecavalier to a modest contract. With him still getting paid by the Lightning, I believe that he will rank environment and chance to win another Cup above a huge payday. He's got his money guaranteed; so 2-year, $4M/yr sounds like a fair deal to me. If he wants to play for the Red Wings, then there's no point paying top-dollar. I believe he'll either come to Detroit or go to Montreal. Either way, both teams will probably be able to sign him without breaking the bank.

Next, I think the Red Wings swing a trade with Buffalo for RW Drew Stafford. Stafford, according to rumors, has been trying to get out of Buffalo since before the trade deadline. It's clear they're trying to rebuild again and I can't see him wanting to stick around for another project. For the 6'2", 200lb right winger, the Red Wings send LW Johan Franzen (comparable contracts), C Riley Sheahan, RW Martin Frk, and a 2014 3rd Round Pick to the Sabres. This trade allows the Red Wings to avoid a decision to buyout Franzen next year (while easing the burden on the logjam at LW) and the Sabres pick up a potential top-six RW, a 2nd-line winger, and a pick next year. The cupboard is bare when it comes to top-flight wingers for the Sabres and Frk would fit nicely into their rebuilding plan. Sheahan needs to get out of Detroit's system after his arrest. I can't believe he's still with the organization after the video went viral, but a new beginning gives him a fresh start and a solid chance at making a 2013/2014 roster.

The team trades D Colaiacovo for a 2013 5th Round pick, while it uses one Compliance Buyout on winger Mikael Samuelsson and one Ordinary Buyout on winger Todd Bertuzzi. Neither player could be traded during the draft and their contracts don't fit with the Red Wings' plan.

Kenny Holland has stated that he wants to bring in a top-4 defensemen (likely an offense-oriented right-handed guy), but short of moving Kyle Quincey's contract, I don't see how that happens. Maybe something comes along after the season starts (trade deadline?), but for now, I think one big signing and one big trade is enough.

So the Red Wings finally get to pair Zetterberg with Datsyuk for good while adding a right-handed power forward next to them who can score himself. Lacavalier and Abdelkader make for a big second line. Lacavalier organizes the offense, Abdelkader blinds the goalie, and Brunner looks for the open, wicked shot on goal. The young kids give the Red Wings an impressive third line full of speed and skill. The fourth line, orchestrated by a healthy Darren Helm, gives the team a physical, defense-oriented line with Miller and Eaves flanking the rejuvenated center. Emmerton and Tootoo round out the roster.